[DeTomaso] Engine Choices

[shawkins777 at comcast.net]

I did as Gary suggested and put a Ford 400 with aluminum heads and independent runner EFI in mine.  Yes there was some modifications but not that much.  I have a fairly aggressive roller cam with .612 lift but the EFI smooths the idle and makes it very street mannered. 

  

Steve 



----- Original Message -----




From: gow2 at rc-tech.net 
To: michael @ michaelshortt .com 
Cc: "List Pantera " < detomaso @ realbig .com> 
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 8:12:27 AM 
Subject: Re: [ DeTomaso ] Engine Choices 

I always think of the Pantera as an unrefined brute. I can't get my head 
around a Pantera with a more modern V8. It's like when I see a 32 Ford 
with an LS engine it begs the question why? It's kind of like water and 
oil. 

I am a fan of cubic inches and the tq that comes with it. Cubic inches 
allow you to make power at lower RPM's . This is great or many reasons. 

What good is a small engine which makes 400hp at 8,000 rpm but 150hp at 
4,000 rpm? It may be competitive for it's class and size at a large oval 
but miserable to drive. 

Making power at lower RPM increases longevity of an engine as well. 

Common knowledge I am putting a Ford 400 in mine; been working on it way 
to long. Re inventing the wheel at every corner. Everyone works a problem 
with an angle; here is mine. 

The 400 has much in common with the Cleveland. It is the same bore spacing 
which means it does not push the ZF back like the FE's . 400 stroked 434 or 
cubes. Different bell housing and different engine mount on one side. You 
would need probably need to build custom headers (although I have built 
darn near everything on this car a little different). 

With aluminum heads weight is about the same as a Cleveland. Engine is a 
mild build which is intentional for durability and valve health. High RPM 
engines come with valve maintenance. 

Dino-ed at 500hp, 534lbs tq . The engine developed 434lbs of Tq at 2000rpm. 
While that is not a monster by todays standards keep in mind the engine 
has 434lbs of tq at 2000rpm where a mouse motor would not be making any 
power to much higher RPM's . 

Not a exact bolt in replacement but not overly complicated to swap either: 

This is pictures from running the engine this weekend: 


http :// www .rc-tech.net/cars2/ panttransam /434web. jpg 
Gary 


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